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Sunday, October 20, 2013

Walk & PUMPING x 2!!

Yesterday was our JDRF Walk to Cure Type 1 Diabetes! I felt even more reason to go after this long, harrowing week. (although just like everyone else in FORTY degree weather, I wanted to climb back in my bed!!) But we did it.

I think the adrenaline got me through. That and the hugs and love that my JDRF family pours into me. Really. (ok, and the Qdoba and s'mores) (and photobombing Leigh's team pix!) I was thrilled to see all the other teams, and of course, the families. I just *love* them. I used to not know them all that well, and it felt weird to be in "competition" to raise the most money for JDRF, but I don't even care about that anymore. (sorry, JDRF!) I care about seeing my BFF's and my friends and family that pull themselves out of whatever better things they could be doing (laundry? cleaning their house? painting furniture? going to the War Eagle craft fair?! sleeping? I know, some of these are on my list..). But they CAME. Thank you for spending your time with us, allowing your daughters to spend their time with us, and for donating.

But we made it. And then I slept. ; ) And then..Ches mentioned that someone had told him the JDRF office had a Medtronic pump. WAHT? Yes, I was all giddy and crazy at the same time! I called Lauren, who works there, and asked about it. She said she actually had it in her car, and thought of it for US!! I can't tell you the excitement. Is that weird? So, I asked her if she could meet me in like 25 minutes (before church) (assuming she doesn't have a billion other things to do with her Saturday!), and she said YES!

We met (thank you, Lauren!!), and I started programming it. I used Mary Claire's basal rates to determine rates for Clay. From what I've learned, she's become a bit insensitive to her insulin after so many years, so she needs more than he does. So, I set each rate about .1 to .15 less than her rate. We set up his correction rate, bolus ratio, etc. and by the time we got to church, I put a site on him, and he was pumping!

Ok, so he FREAKED out when it was time to site him (and I'd left the sil-serter at home). I had to manually stick in the needle, and he was mad. We bribed him with a box of Allen & Ginter cards, since we kinda needed him to be on a pump for momma's sanity. (and momma had no idea how much they were!!!)

Our boy had seen 200-420 in the course of the day yesterday, and in church I checked him. He was 71. I gave him these awful Jolly Rancher sour chewy things, and at recheck 30 minutes later he was 124. Ok, pumping is g-o-o-d. Momma can handle this stuff.

We had a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese and he had three slices of pizza, two hunks of cake (really friendly cake cutter!), and never batted an eye. He got a bolus each time, and told me he loved me. (I'm assuming because I'm an amazing mom, and I'm so fashionable and level-headed and I make good cookies) But then he said something about LOVING the pump! And he's so glad I bribed him to try it! (So..not the other things.)

So..we are pumping. With TWO. And I have to say secretly, I'm so much happier! I can handle this. BUT, I still never heard back from the Omnipod rep, so I requested a demo pod online. He loves it, but he might love the pod more. I want him to get to make that decision.

I'm thankful for the situation right now, and I'll feel okay sending him back to school this way. I'll just wing it. I don't know when he'll check his blood there (pe is first block!), or what he'll do for lunch. He isn't hungry at lunch since he takes other medicine, so he generally eats cookies or ice cream (since I told him to just eat SOMEthing!). That really won't work, so hopefully we can find a new normal, and a new lunch plan. ; )

I have a few pictures for the walk and my house that's on auto-pilot (I'm sure they are appreciating not having me call every day! ha!):

School Friends! And Alyssa has diabetes right now too-until her islet cells start functioning in her liver!! Woohoo!

His first year up on stage.

Clay, Alyssa, and Mary Claire

Balloon Release. Beautiful (I think prayers are going up).

More friends! Girl scout friends and LUNCH!! We got Qdoba this year too. Everyone loved it, it was so warm and yummy!

Sweet girls! I know they are tired. : )

Carter all bundled up. : ) I guess it's a good thing, his shirt was WAY too big!

Me and Kelly!

Kelly's son, Gabe and Ethan! Awesome friends, and they are in the same grade/same school. Ethan wished to have diabetes like Gabe last week. Whew, I had no idea we were headed for two back then.

Our dinner party at Chuck E. Cheese ; ) I guess it's the only one I added?!

The cabinets got a coat of lacquer primer. Wow.

The doors got a primer coat too.

I guess it doesn't stick to glass, it flaked right off! There was a super fine powder coat of white dust all over the floor too. Weird.

Pocket door to office.

Lots of cabinet doors!

Carter's window. Jesus is blessing this house. ; )

Siding behind Carter's vanity. : )

Dining Room..it'll be so different with painted walls!

Last one. The pool got tile a couple days ago. I just haven't had time to go see it!

I have to say it's honestly been a couple of hard days, not just diabetes x 2. I think just trying to maintain our path (Walk, church, Sunday school, friends, etc.) and having all the extra prayers, I feel like we've been under even more spiritual attack. I've had some really strange things happen (unexplainable), and I broke down before class this morning.I'm not proud of it, but even that is teaching me. I keep thinking I can do this, but it's not without h-e-l-p. None of it. I have prayers carrying me, and people willing to help and pray more. Just know that having a smile on my face and continuing, doesn't mean there aren't problems. I'm just doing the very best I can from one minute to the next. I think you can be sad and happy at the same time. Don't you?

Praying for your family, your health, and that God blesses you with a great prayer team. Biggest hugs y'all!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so
great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the
sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its
shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12: 1-2

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About Me

Definitely blessed by God, even when life gets tough. My husband and I have four sweet kids (17, 16, 11, and my baby just turned six!). My daughter, Mary Claire, has Type I Diabetes and wears a 670G Medtronic insulin pump. We always thought of Diabetes as another child. It takes on a life of its own and requires so much planning and care-sometimes I think it’ll never grow up.
And now our son, Clay, has also been diagnosed 10/16/13. He’s also on a 670G Medtronic pump!
We also have five sweet angels in Heaven, and I can’t wait to meet them. They are playing at the feet of Jesus, and I pray we'll all be there with them one day.
I think I’m only strengthened by all the discomfort. I am making it through things I would’ve sworn would kill me. But they didn’t. I am courageous, and I’m on the other side. Still blessed.

Missing Blogroll...

So..I thought I'd be all "I can DO this" and redesign my blog..except I lost all my gadgets somehow. Hopefully I can get my blog list back up quickly. (I mean quick for a mom of four in a crampy box-filled house who watched a snake get captured by animal control. In the backyard.) But I actually USE the list..and I miss my friends! ; )Let me know if you'd like to be posted, I don't want to forget anyone!!